| |
|
SAULONG TARGETS UPSET IN IBF WORLD TITLE BOUT
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Wed, 28 Feb 2018

Under the radar contender Ernesto Saulong will try to beat the odds when he fights IBF world junior featherweight world champ Ryosuke Iwasa of Japan on March 1 in Tokyo.
The 28 year old Saulong (21W-2L-1D,8KO?s) is ranked number 13 in the January 2018 ratings of the International Boxing Federation. He has benefited from being one of the sparring partners of IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas last January. Ancajas, who is a southpaw like Iwasa, was preparing for his February title defense against Mexican Israel Gonzalez in his secluded training camp in Magallanes, Cavite.
Joven Jimenez, who trains Ancajas, is also with Saulong for this crucial fight. ?Maganda ang kondisyon, handing handa na.? Jimenez told this writer in a phone conversation. (He is in good condition and is ready.)
?Kumakain pa nga, walang problema sa timbang pag weigh-in.? Jimenez added. (He is even eating well. There will be no problems during the weigh-in.)
Iwasa (24W-2L,16KO?s), also 28 years old, will be making the first defense of the title he won by sixth round TKO against countryman Yukinori Oguni.
Iwasa has a long list of Filipino boxers that he has beaten ? Marvin Tampus, Jerope Mercado, Mark John Yap, Jecker Buhawe, Richard Pumicpic, Ricardo Roa, Marlon Arcilla, Dennis Tubieron and Glen Medura.
Three years ago, Saulong beat fellow Filipino Alie Laurel for the WBC International bantamweight title by unanimous decision in a fight held in Kunming, China.
In his next overseas stint, Saulong would lose to Lwandile Sityatha by unanimous verdict for the WBO International belt in South Africa.
Saulong will be looking to join the list of Filipino boxers who captured world titles on Japanese soil ? Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Morris East, Gerry Pe?alosa, Luisito Espinosa, Joma Gamboa and Milan Melindo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts , Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS , Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now , Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced , Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV , Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19 , Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City , Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo , Sun, 08 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|